The recent AIA Home Design Trends Survey asked more than 500 residential architects what they thought would be the most significant home design elements over the next ten years. Here are their Top 10 responses.
Architects tend to think about custom homes, not the great mass of other housing options; something to remember when interpreting the findings.
1 Technological integration becoming more prevalent, with both dedicated support for personal devices, along with automated controls for temperature, security and lighting
2 Increased consumer awareness about environmental health issues leading to more widespread use of low or no volatile organic compounds for paint and composite wood, natural fiber upholstery, carpets without polyvinyl chloride backing and air purification systems
3 Growing demand for design strategies that strengthen homes against natural disasters including elevating residences, windows with impact glazing, dedicated safe rooms and backup power generation
4 Increasing use of energy-efficient and other sustainable design elements and products such as solar panels, water reclamation systems and tankless water heaters
5 Aging-in-place and universal design elements to accommodate an aging population including wider hallways, added handrails and one-level living spaces
6 Kitchens serving as focal point of the home highlighted by open design concepts
7 Heavy emphasis and investment in outdoor living spaces
8 Need for space devoted to home offices reflecting changing work patterns
9 Infill development promoting smaller, better designed homes
10 Strong preference for urban lifestyle characteristics resulting in higher-density development that provide additional amenities to residents
Comment: When planning your marketing strategy, remember that this is what AIA members are thinking about, and that actual demand is influenced by developers, consumers, codes, remodeling of existing housing stock, and other forces.
Source: AIA Press Release 2016-01-13.